Dozens of DHS staff cuts loom

Effort will be made to minimize layoffs by relying on retirements and attrition

12:58 AM,
Jun. 9, 2012

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Iowa's Department of Human Services could face staff cuts in coming months due to lower-than-requested state appropriations and a looming raise for workers.

DHS Director Charles Palmer alluded to the possibility in a June 1 memo to employees, but has pledged to minimize layoffs as much as possible by relying on attrition and retirements. The final analysis on how many cuts will be necessary, what offices will be affected and when is still under way, department spokesman Roger Munns said.

Officials have suggested the ultimate figure will be "substantially less than 100." The department ...